2005 Texas Transportation Code CHAPTER 552. PEDESTRIANS

TRANSPORTATION CODE

CHAPTER 552. PEDESTRIANS

§ 552.001. TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS. (a) A traffic
control signal displaying green, red, and yellow lights or lighted
arrows applies to a pedestrian as provided by this section unless
the pedestrian is otherwise directed by a special pedestrian
control signal.
(b) A pedestrian facing a green signal may proceed across a
roadway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk unless the sole green
signal is a turn arrow.
(c) A pedestrian facing a steady red signal alone or a
steady yellow signal may not enter a roadway.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.002. PEDESTRIAN RIGHT-OF-WAY IF CONTROL SIGNAL
PRESENT. (a) A pedestrian control signal displaying "Walk,"
"Don't Walk," or "Wait" applies to a pedestrian as provided by this
section.
(b) A pedestrian facing a "Walk" signal may proceed across a
roadway in the direction of the signal, and the operator of a
vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.
(c) A pedestrian may not start to cross a roadway in the
direction of a "Don't Walk" signal or a "Wait" signal. A pedestrian
who has partially crossed while the "Walk" signal is displayed
shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the "Don't Walk"
signal or "Wait" signal is displayed.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.003. PEDESTRIAN RIGHT-OF-WAY AT CROSSWALK. (a) The
operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian
crossing a roadway in a crosswalk if:
(1) no traffic control signal is in place or in
operation; and
(2) the pedestrian is:
(A) on the half of the roadway in which the
vehicle is traveling; or
(B) approaching so closely from the opposite half
of the roadway as to be in danger.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a pedestrian may not
suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and proceed into a
crosswalk in the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible
for the vehicle operator to yield.
(c) The operator of a vehicle approaching from the rear of a
vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to
cross a roadway may not pass the stopped vehicle.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.004. PEDESTRIAN TO KEEP TO RIGHT. A pedestrian
shall proceed on the right half of a crosswalk if possible.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.005. CROSSING AT POINT OTHER THAN CROSSWALK. (a) A
pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the highway
if crossing a roadway at a place:
(1) other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked
crosswalk at an intersection; or
(2) where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian
crossing has been provided.
(b) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control
signals are in operation, a pedestrian may cross only in a marked
crosswalk.
(c) A pedestrian may cross a roadway intersection
diagonally only if and in the manner authorized by a traffic control
device.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.006. USE OF SIDEWALK. (a) A pedestrian may not walk
along and on a roadway if an adjacent sidewalk is provided and is
accessible to the pedestrian.
(b) If a sidewalk is not provided, a pedestrian walking
along and on a highway shall if possible walk on:
(1) the left side of the roadway; or
(2) the shoulder of the highway facing oncoming
traffic.
(c) The operator of a vehicle emerging from or entering an
alley, building, or private road or driveway shall yield the
right-of-way to a pedestrian approaching on a sidewalk extending
across the alley, building entrance or exit, road, or driveway.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended
by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 497, § 3, eff. June 11, 2001.
§ 552.007. SOLICITATION BY PEDESTRIANS. (a) A person may
not stand in a roadway to solicit a ride, contribution, employment,
or business from an occupant of a vehicle, except that a person may
stand in a roadway to solicit a charitable contribution if
authorized to do so by the local authority having jurisdiction over
the roadway.
(b) A person may not stand on or near a highway to solicit
the watching or guarding of a vehicle parked or to be parked on the
highway.
(c) In this section, "charitable contribution" means a
contribution to an organization defined as charitable by the
standards of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.0071. LOCAL AUTHORIZATION FOR SOLICITATION BY
PEDESTRIAN. (a) A local authority shall grant authorization for a
person to stand in a roadway to solicit a charitable contribution as
provided by Section 552.007(a) if the persons to be engaged in the
solicitation are employees or agents of the local authority and the
other requirements of this section are met.
(b) A person seeking authorization under this section shall
file a written application with the local authority not later than
the 11th day before the date the solicitation is to begin. The
application must include:
(1) the date or dates and times when the solicitation
is to occur;
(2) each location at which solicitation is to occur;
and
(3) the number of solicitors to be involved in
solicitation at each location.
(c) This section does not prohibit a local authority from
requiring a permit or the payment of reasonable fees to the local
authority.
(d) The applicant shall also furnish to the local authority
advance proof of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1
million to cover damages that may arise from the solicitation. The
insurance must provide coverage against claims against the
applicant and claims against the local authority.
(e) A local authority, by acting under this section or
Section 552.007, does not waive or limit any immunity from
liability applicable under law to the local authority. The
issuance of an authorization under this section and the conducting
of the solicitation authorized is a governmental function of the
local authority.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the
existing rights of individuals or organizations under Section
552.007 are not impaired.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., ch. 12, § 2, eff. May 3, 2005.
§ 552.008. DRIVERS TO EXERCISE DUE CARE. Notwithstanding
another provision of this chapter, the operator of a vehicle shall:
(1) exercise due care to avoid colliding with a
pedestrian on a roadway;
(2) give warning by sounding the horn when necessary;
and
(3) exercise proper precaution on observing a child or
an obviously confused or incapacitated person on a roadway.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
§ 552.009. ORDINANCES RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS. A local
authority may by ordinance:
(1) require pedestrians to comply strictly with the
directions of an official traffic control signal; and
(2) prohibit pedestrians from crossing a roadway in a
business district or a designated highway except in a crosswalk.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

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